Federal law enforcement sources told ABC News that ICE and the FBI are investigating the fishing and hunting tour operating business for arranging sex for American men overseas.
Monday night ABC World News Tonight aired an undercover report that certainly didn’t make the hunting and fishing world look very good. That’s not a value judgement on the facts of the report, or anyone’s guilt or innocence- that’s for the courts to decide. But it’s a simple observation based on having seen a report that includes tour operators advising ABC News’ Dan Harris that he could certainly have a little “entertainment” along with his overseas hunting and fishing trip- with beautiful women.

“I mean, it’s a third world country and you can do whatever you want,” the unidentified tour operator told Harris from the floor of the Dallas Safari Club convention. “You know if you want to do a party it’s not like here-you can’t touch, you can’t look-you can do whatever the f**k you want.”

That’s awful, but it gets worse.

Now, Harris reported, federal law enforcement officials have confirmed they’re investigating the allegations that some of these tour operators aren’t just offering “parties” they’re offering “sex with children” for American men overseas on hunting or fishing expeditions.

The story is a continuation of one we reported -briefly- several months ago, minus all but one name- Phil Marsteller. He says abusing minors has “become a cancer on his industry.”

As you can imagine, Marsteller’s not the most popular guy in the guided tour industry. In fact, one tour operator in the ABC report says Marsteller is anything but popular. “There’s a code of the West in this industry that nobody breaks–and he broke it,” the operator said, unaware he was being filmed, “That’s why nobody likes him.”

Yesterday, I spoke with Marsteller about what was about to happen – and how it would likely impact an industry already reeling from a troubled economy.

His reaction wasn’t one I expected. Instead of vindication after vilification by many in the industry, Marsteller was regretful that such a negative light was being shined on the tour industry. “It didn’t have to happen,” he told me, “I had told plenty of people this was happening. They just decided to turn a blind eye to it.”

Not everyone.

The Dallas Safari Club spoke out on February 1, issuing saying it would “aggressively enforce zero tolerance for those participating in these types of activities.”

“Our Club has a well-established track record of banning outfitters for hunting ethics violations,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director, “but this deplorable activity goes beyond ethics and into criminal liability.”

“Dallas Safari Club will not stand by while human decency is assaulted, either at home or abroad. I cannot overstate our condemnation of this appalling exploitation of minors.”

According to Carter, DSC will continue to support ethical guides and outfitters, legitimate hunters and anglers – and “the industry as a whole” – for their invaluable worth to global conservation.

At this point, it’s entirely too-early to tell where any investigations into these nauseating allegations will lead, but one thing remains the same:

We’ll keep you posted- even when we’re disgusted by the whole matter.

http://abcnews.go.com/wnt/video/pleasure-trips-underage-sex-tourism-10293599&tab=9482930&section=1206853&playlist=10293597

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/sex-tourism/story?id=10288468

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_172713.asp

Monday evening, Dan Harris of ABC World News Tonight is scheduled to report on Child Sex Tourism in the sport fishing/peacock bass fishing industry. This is said to include undercover video of fishing trips being sold that include minors as part of the package.

In 2008 when we signed “The Code” (www.thecode.org) with ECPAT–USA (www.ecpatusa.org). We did this in the hope that we could help stop this cancer that is taking over our industry and that others would follow our lead and speak out against the abuse of children by sportsmen. This has not happened. I have asked the Safari Club International (www.scifirstforhunters.org) to join in this fight with no positive results.

It is my hope that this report and the others that have run will help clean up our industry and protect those who have been /are being abused and exploited by it.

We all have the responsibility to stand up for the less fortunate. If we sit back and do nothing when we see a crime being committed we are just as guilty as those perpetrating the crime.

Sincerely,

Philip A. Marsteller
Founder
Amazon Tours, Inc.
(972) 304-1656
www.amazontours.com

Note: you can view the reports done by Fox 5 Atlanta’s Dale Russell here:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/i-team%3A_brazil_sex_tourism_112309

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/i-team%3A-sex-tourism-pt.-2-011110

This year started fast as we are approaching the end of the first month of the year but still lots of great fishing conditions. As for our anglers they had a great time despite all the odds out there in the back woods and the lagoons. Landed lots of peacock bass not to mention the memories of their adventures they will have for a long time to come.
The count for the week was 1420 peacock bass total with 87 being 10 lbs. or better and 2 of those being 20 lbs or better.
This week it was two of our couple’s team who landed the big fish of the week. They go to Frances who landed a 20-pound monster for the week and his wife Francis landed an 18-pounder. Then we have the second couple made up of Scott Von Hatten also landing a 20-pounder and his wife Luanne who didn’t break the double digit but enjoyed being here to fish, the adventure and learned a lot about the Amazon. Our other couple is Skip who landed an 18-pounder and Peggy landed a 14-pounder. Jay landed a 14-pounder and his wife Carrie landed a 16-pounder. These couple fished hard the wives giving the husbands a run for their woodchopper.
Some of our returning anglers are David Fuller who landed a 19-pounder and his partner Mark landed a 18-pounder. Then we have Bob Zann who came with his friend Peri who landed a 19-pounder on his last day. David Peacock brought down his partner Matt to try his hand at wood chopping for a week after big peacocks; David landed a 17-pounder and Matt ended with a 16-pounder.
Our four friends were Bill who landed a 16-pounder, his fishing buddy Buzz landed an 11-pounder. The other two were John who landed a 16-pounder and Bob Street landing a 15-pounder for the week.
To end the groups we have our big group from Cabela’s with some first time anglers and some returning anglers which brought their friend to work and give it a try at landing a big monster. Many of them hooked big ones but few were landed which is part of fishing.
First we start with our father and son teams of Jon S. Crowe who landed an 18-pounder and his son Jon P. Crowe landing a 19-pounder. But it looks like their friends James and Kyle had the most fun in the group, they dove into lagoons with piranhas, waded with sting rays and more, they seemed to be the most adventurous ones in the group, James ended the week with a 17-pounder. Kyle’s partner was Ryan, Ryan landed a 16-pounder and Kyle landed a 12-pounder. Our two brothers were Mathew who landed an 18-pounder and his brother Eric ended up landing a 10-pounder for their week. Tom landed a 13-pounder and his partner Brian landed a 15-pounder. Then there is Brendan who landed a 12-pounder and his partner Charles who also landed a 12-pounder. Our last team in this group is Tyler with a 19-pounder and Scott with a 17-pounder. Their guides took them all into places where it looked inaccessible but with their help to push, pull, drag and walk they made their week an unforgettable one in peacock bass fishing.

From my staff and I and the people who have meet of the Rio Negro, we thank God for this opportunity to once again have this wonderful trip and for offering these great fishing conditions. We wish our guest a safe and memorable journey home to their families full of memories of the adventure of a lifetime.

Thank you for fishing with us on the Rio Negro, we will be waiting here for your return soon for some more great fishing, and lots of new stories (Real Fishing Stories) and many friends.

Big Fish of the Day went to Scott Von Hatten for this 20 pound Monster!

Today the group landed 265 peacock bass with 7 – 10 Lbs, 2 – 11 Lbs, 4 – 12 Lbs, 2 – 13 Lbs, 1 – 14 Lbs, 1 – 15 Lbs, 3 – 17 Lbs, 1 – 18 Lbs, and 1 – 20 Lbs. Big Fish of the Day went to Scott Von Hatten. Congratulations Scott!